"It's kind of sad — some parents have no inclination to encourage their kids," Kjar said. "I just try to help them as best I can. Many of the kids are pretty resilient, in spite of all the odds against them, and a lot of them succeed."

One of Kjar's best success stories is a student who ended up being an FBI agent. He sent Kjar an e-mail saying, "I just want to thank you for telling us we can be anything we want to be."

Kjar and his wife, Dixie, had six children. Three died of Batten Disease — a neurodegenerative disorder that starts with blindness, turning to muscle degeneration and finally death.

The couple is now taking care of Dixie Kjar's father, who is almost 90 years old and lives with them. "He depends on us," Kjar said.

Why does Kjar care? "I guess that's just how I was brought up," he said, explaining his parents were both extremely service-oriented.

E-mail: astewart@desnews.com